Pathogenesis of malignant ascites in ovarian cancer patients

Peritonitis carcinomatosa, indicating the presence of malignant cells in the peritoneal cavity, is a well- known complication of malignant disease. The collection of intraperitoneal fluid in a patient with ovarian cancer is most likely due to intraperitoneal spread of disease. The recognition of small quantities of intraperitoneal fluid may have staging and prognostic significance, while symptomatic large collections may reflect end-stage disease, which permits only palliative therapeutic options. In this paper we dis- cussed the pathogenesis of malignant ascites in ovarian cancer patients and suggested potential new treatment approaches.